Hi, Just wondering: 1) How many km's can you expect from a regularly serviced MC14e? 2) At what intervals do they require major servicing? 3) What does the major servicing involve? Thanks
the MC14e engine came out in 1986 in the MC14 CBR250 and stayed in use until 2007 in the last of the MC31 Hornet's CB250F. They are awesome motor and rev to 20,000 rpm. The key differentiator between the MC14e engine and others offered in the FZR250, GSXR250 and ZXR250 is that they had gear driven cams , this means they do not have a cam chain or tensioner which can be weak points if the maintenance isn't kept up. From a service perspective, oil and filter changes should be every 5000kms which would be considered a minor service, a major service should be done every 20,000kms or so and would involve oil, filter, cylinder head inspections and shim adjustments. They ranged in power from 45 HP in the early CBR's, then the power was dropped to 40hp in 1994 due to changes in Japanese law, although torque was improved, this was done via changes to the cylinder head and CDI. As for engine life, I would say they are an incredibly robust engine - forum members here like @Mclaren @Brizfox @simidau all race MC22's built in 1990 and they are still going strong. I have had a few and even with high mileage bikes, they still run like a top and bring a smile from ear to ear. If you want to hear one on song, check out the vids on Team Tigers site - http://teamtiger.com.au/
Shame I can like that post only once. Thanks for the info Chris. I was wondering what to expect from the 250 Hornets at certain k's. There's one for sale on Gumtree near me which has 51,000 km's.
51,000 (if maintained correctly and serviced properly) would be about half life. Hornets are good things too.
Mine has 23k on clock when it started racin by previous owner about 7-10 years ago has only had general maintenance as far as I know but getting a freshen up this mid season not showing to much where but burning a little oil we do race these between 12k and 18k rpm from ridiculously hot to ridiculously cold weather and can't fault them
Thanks all. Of course, the condition of the rest of the bike is a factor but all things being equal... Is it worth holding out for a lower km bike or around 50,000km is about the average considering their age?
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/phillip-bay/motorcycles/1997-honda-hornet-250-cb250f/1093794726 Is this the one you are looking at ? I would check if its an import or an Aus delivered bike, you can tell this by looking at the compliance plate, if its an import, you should factor in the speedo may have been wound back.
sweet, those aftermarket pipes will give it a nice growl. Its appears he is negotiable, if you do want to buy it, ask him what he would take , sometime sellers drop the price if you ask
I've read a bit about the winding back for imports. Happens in the car scene regularly as well. This one at 12,000km's would be a steal but it's more than likely closer to 112,000 by the look of it. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/camp...00mdl-12169kms-learners-negotiable/1092067864 Also, what specifically is on the compliance plate for local vs imports?
the VIN is a giveaway, it will start with 61mp0rt if its been imported plus the VIN will be ground off on the head stem and a new compliance plate riveted to the frame, this link explains them really well - http://www.vsource.org/VFR-RVF_files/BHondaModelNumbers.htm
Either of them look ok in pictures, but a good close up look would be required before any cash changes hands. Check stuff like the water, is it dirty/gummy brown or clean green/red? Is the oil clean? Are the cables free to move etc. Does it make any strange noises when pushed along (dragging brakes, rattling chain)?Does the engine start easily from cold? Does the steering move smoothly? Go by what you feel is ok, walk away if it seems suspect.
Well, I went to see it and I wasn't all that keen on this particular one. It sold a few hours later incidentally so I'm happy for the owner. Surprised at how large the bike was... and that rear tyre!!
My CB250FN has a MC14 engine, odo says 83xxxkm but it's probably more. Its in the shop for a airbox issue (My bad, see my other thread haha) but the mechanic, who is a good mechanic says the engine is very clean, very healthy and very strong. To my knowledge the cases/head have never been off.
You can buy a leakdown tester on eBay for $40 and do a full leakdown test. Really, with such a high-revving engine you'd expect a lot of wear on the valve train, specifically the seats. But I haven't really heard of MC14E engines going bad (or really any engine from that era). The engine in my MC14E dropped a valve and the odometer was at nearly 60k although like Kiff said, on an import who knows what they did to it. I tend to disregard the odometer on bikes that old anyway. The cleanliness of the bike tells a better story. You can also buy borescopes on eBay for fairly cheap that plug into your computer via USB. They're pretty interesting to use. I was hoping someone would develop FI kits for these engines.
